Sclerotherapy: Spider Veins Treatments

SPIDER VEINS TREATMENTS IN ASHBURN, LOUDOUN, AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Spider veins can be a significant source of embarrassment and discomfort for many of us. In several instances they are the reason some woman avoid wearing dresses in the summer. They can also be a source for fatigue and vague leg pain, specially if they are larger, or called reticular veins. Sclerotherapy is the gold standard for the treatment of spider veins and reticular veins. Different agents can be used for treatments these are called sclerosing agents. This page will discuss how we use sclerotherapy for spider veins at NOVA Plastic Surgery in Ashburn, Northern Virginia. But before talking about the treatment, it’s important to talk about spider veins and reticular veins.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are red or blue little veins that run up and down the legs. They resemble a road map. They may be grouped into little star burst patterns. Spider veins can also fan out along the outside of the thigh or lower leg. They are particularly common around the ankle in the knee. Spider veins can also be present on the face, however, we do not recommend using sclerotherapy on the face but instead using either IPL/BBL or laser for this the face. Spider veins are also sometimes called Telangiectasias.

What causes spider veins?

several factors can contribute to the formation of spider veins in the legs including:

Gender: spider veins are rarely seen in men and are much more common in women.

Genetics: spider veins are more common in certain families.

Pregnancy: the hormonal changes during pregnancy can trigger the formation of spider veins.

Occupations that require prolonged sitting

Sitting with the legs crossed for a long period of time.

What are reticular veins?.

those are deeper darker veins that form bluish networks that crisscross over the thighs and legs. They pump blood from the skin to deeper veins that perforate the muscles. These veins do not have valves so if pressure rises in the deeper veins blood can stagnate in the reticular veins make them dilated and more pronounced.

Sclerotherapy for the treatment of spider veins:

Sclerotherapy mainly consists of injecting a sclerosing agent into the affected Veins. The agent causes irritation to the cells lining the walls of the vein. Eventually the vein collapses and turns into scare tissue. at NOVA Plastic Surgery we use Polidocanol injection as a sclerosing agent. We use technique called foaming to improve efficacy of the agent. This sclerosing agent has been shown to have excellent results will lower rate of side effects.

This spider vein treatment usually takes around half an hour, but the veins only disappear completely between a period of two to twelve weeks. Often, a patient would have to return for more sessions, because varicose and spider veins usually cover big areas in the lower extremities. There is a possibility that new veins would thicken again, so maintenance injections are needed after a few years have passed since the initial Polidocanol injection.

As with any procedure, the Asclera polidocanol injection also carries certain risks. Potential side effects include swelling, irritation and bruising in the target area. There is a possibility that particular tissues would be damaged and contract infections as well. Patients can also experience pain and discomfort during and after the spider vein treatment, although the Asclera polidocanol injection is said to be less painful than other agents. The images below show a nice improvement after Asclera therapy and are taken from the EASI study

The treatment is associated with minimal pain during injections. But not enough to need giving numbing injections.

What are the most common side effects?

Itching: Depending on the type of solution used, you may experience mild itching along the vein route. This itching may last 1 to 2 days.

Transient hyperpigmentation: Approximately 30% of patients who undergo Sclerotherapy notice a discoloration of light brown streaks after treatment. In almost every patient, the veins become darker immediately after the procedure but slowly clears over a few weeks. In rare instances, this darkening of the vein may persist for 4 to 12 months.

Sloughing skin: Sloughing occurs in less than 3% of patients who receive Sclerotherapy.Sloughing consists of a small ulceration of the injection site that heals slowly. A blister may form,

open, and become ulcerated. The scar that follows should return to a normal color and blend-in with surrounding skin color and texture.

Pain: A few patients may experience moderate to severe pain and some bruising, usually at the injection site. The veins may be tender to the touch after treatment, and the uncomfortable

sensation may run along the vein route. This pain is usually temporary, in most cases lasting less than 5 minutes. In rare cases pain and tenderness can last up to a week.

Contraindications:

You should not undergo sclerotherapy if you have any of the following conditions:

history of allergies to sclerosing agents

deep venous thrombosis or history of pulmonary embolus

history of patent foramen ovale or a hole in the heart

pregnancy

The best way to determine whether you’re a good candidate for sclerotherapy is to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced providers at NOVA Plastic Surgery. Please call us at 703- 574-2588.

Nova Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgeons in Northern VA Nationally recognized Physicians Assistants and Master Aestheticians are looking forward to providing you an unparalleled experience and results. We welcome you in our state of the art facility located in OneLoudoun, Ashburn, VA.